WEBVTT >> HE SAYS THE NEXT TIME A STORM IS BREWING, HE WILL CAN’T -- GRAB WHAT HE CAN. >> WITH FEMA EARNING -- THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO MAKE SURE YOUR POLICY IS IN ORDER. >> IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD TO MAKE A CLAIM, THA POLICY MIGHT BE DUE A REFRESHER. AS MICHELLE TO US THROUGH THE BASICS THAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER TO KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS PROTECTED ALL THROUGH HURRICANE SEASON. >> FLOORS, WALLS, ABOUT ANY, ALL DESTROYED DURING HURRICANE IRMA. >> THE NEXT MORNING IS WHERE YOU COULD SEE THE DAMAGE AND IT WAS PRETTY EXTENSIVE. >> FAMILIES ALL OVER TOWN THEMSELVES IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS AFTER IRMA WHICH IS WHY ALL HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE AND NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS IN IT. >> THE TIME TO CALL YOUR AGENT IS BEFORE A HURRICANE IS ON THE HORIZON. >> THEY WILL VIEW YOUR WHOLE POLICY. >> AND SEE IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF ANYTHING OR IF YOU NEED MORE COVERAGE. >> SHE RECOMMENDS AS ONE OF FLORIDA ALSO GET FLOOD INSURANCE. >> PLOSSER, THEY SAY THEY GOT COUNTLESS CALLS, HOMEOWNERS ASKING FOR FLOOD INSURANCE, BUT POLICIES GOING TO EFFECT 30 DAYS AFTER THE POLICY IS WRITTEN. AS IRMA APPROACHED, IT WAS TOO LATE. ALSO, TAKE WATER OUT OF YOUR PULL. TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR POSSESSIONS AND KNOW YOUR DEDUCTIBLE. IF YOU DON’T HAVE THAT MONEY, START AN EMERGENCY FUND TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN PAY IT BECAUSE IF YOU CAN’T CATCH HIM ON >> THEN THEY WON’T GET THE COVERAGE FROM THE INSURANCE CARRIER.>> HE CALL IMMEDIATELY. >> IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I COULD MAKE. IT’S A PUBLIC ADJUSTER REPRESENTS THE HOMEOWNER INSTEAD OF THE INSURAN COMPANY. THERE ARE SO MANY MISTAKES THEY DON’T KNOW THEY ARE MAKING. >> DAVID WAS WHITFIELD’S PUBLIC ADJUSTER. HIS COMPANY WAS THERE WHEN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ADJUSTER ASSESS THE DAMAGE. >> ESSENTIALLY, THEY WERE TRYING TO UNDERCUT HOW MUCH I WAS GOING TO GET AND THEY COME IN AND REPRESENT YOU AND FIGHT FOR YOU AND THE AMOUNT I ENDED UP GETTING WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT. >> HE SAYS HIS INSURANCE COMPANY INITIALLY OFFERED HIM $68,000. AFTER EIGHT MONTHS, HE JUST SIGNED THE FINAL PAPERWORK. HE IS NOW GET

If you haven't had to make a claim, your policy and what it covers, might need a refresher.

James Whitfield's floors walls and balcony were all destroyed during hurricane Irma.

"The next morning is when you could really see all the damage and uh, it was pretty extensive," Whitfield said.

Whitfield was one of the many all over central Florida who found themselves in similar situations after Irma.

It is a reminder for all homeowners to have insurance and know what's in it.

Traci Sihle co- owns a local insurance brokerage and recommends everyone in Florida also get flood insurance.

Sihle said last year her company got countless calls as Irma loomed from homeowners asking for flood insurance, but flood insurance polices only go into effect 30 days after the policy is written.

Sihle also suggests if you have a pool to take water out of it. If your pool overflows and floods your home it's considered negligence and is not covered under flood insurance.

Another suggestion she makes is to take pictures of your possessions and know your deductibale.

If you don't have money to cover your deductible, Sihle suggests making an emergency fund to pay it.

Once a storm hits you're required to do your best to prevent any further damage as long as it's safe.

Whitfield did that and called a public adjuster immediately.

"It was the best decision I could make," Whitfield said.

A public adjuster represents the homeowner instead of the insurance company.

David Dwyer, Whiftfield's adjuster, was there when the insurance company's adjuster assessed the damage at his St. Cloud home.

"Essentially the insurance company was trying to undercut, you know, how much I was going to get and then they come in. They represent you and they fight for you and, you know, the amount that I ended up getting was substantially different," Whitfield said.

Whitfield said his insurance company initially offered him $68,000 which wouldn't cover half of the damage in his house.

After 8 months of back and forth, Whitfield just signed the final paperwork with Dwyer's help and will now get $140,000 to rebuild his life.